Govt mulls extension of session
Likely to table bill on curbing migrants influx during the extension
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, March 02 2015:
Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam has announced on Monday the State Cabinet decision to introduce a bill on curbing the influx of migrants during the ongoing Assembly session.
Gaikhangam said a decision to this effect was taken at the Cabinet meeting which was convened on Monday evening.
He explained that even if the Speaker of the State Assembly adjourns the House sine die on Tuesday, the power to prorogue the session lies with the Cabinet.
Hence, until the House is prorogued, the bill can be introduced anytime and passed, he asserted.
He went on to make an appeal to the agitators not to lose their patience and wait for the bill to be passed.
Meanwhile, the spokesperson of the Government, Education Minister Moirangthem Okendro maintained that the Government had never taken lightly at any point of time the demand for introduction of a bill for protection of indigenous people.
He asserted that the Government clearly understands the pulse of the people as well as the stand of the political parties in the state on this issue.
Okendro stated that the collection of views and opinions from constitutional experts had consumed some time.
Moreover, the Government has an obligation to prevent conflict among different groups of people living together.
Despite the deferral, the unstinted effort of the Government has bore fruit and the Cabinet took the decision to introduce the bill for protection of indigenous people during the current Assembly session, he stated.
Earlier in the day before the State Cabinet met, the Convener of Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit System Ibotombi Khuman announced the committee's decision to boycott the State Assembly and launch a civil disobedience movement.
He told reporters that the Government's failure to bring up the bill showed that it is dishonest and has no intention of protecting the indigenous people.
He also conveyed the decision of the committee to ban purchase of articles from shops operated by 'outsiders.' After the Holi break all non-Manipuris will be issued identification documents and those without valid documents will be sent back to their native places, he stated.
Meanwhile, Oinam MLA Dr I Ibohalbi while speaking during the Zero Hour requested extension of the ongoing Assembly session in order to accommodate time for introduction of the bill during the session.